Artificial Heart Patient Breathing on his Own

Louisville, KY – The maker of an artificial heart says a patientwho received the device in early May is breathing on his own and is out of intensive care. Abiocorsays the patient, who has not been publicly identified, is in stable condition.

The patient has lived more than sixty days at Jewish Hospital with the totally implantablepump. The patient is one of two people livingwith the softball-sized pump, which is made of titanium and plastic.

The other patient, who also has not been identified publicly, underwent surgery in lateMay. He remains in intensive care.